| Project Detail |
Various horticultural tree species and shrubs will be planted on 6,024 ha in this VCS ARR project activity in a 3-year project roll out period. Eight different species groups are distinguished based mainly on similar growth characteristics (similar biomass accumulation rates) and planting densities. All groups will be planted on the 6,024 ha. Coffee will be introduced after 3 years on 3,000 ha. The different species groups of the proposed ARR project activity comprise, among others, Mango, Guava, Custard apple, Orange, Lemon, and other local fruit trees. In addition Teak, Bamboo and various indigenous trees will be introduced. After a tree establishment phase, coffee will be planted under shade.
The planting area is located on degraded land with very low plant cover (around 60% of the land is classified as barren land.). The horticultural tree planting will sequester carbon and generate additional income by turning this degraded, low carbon lands into high carbon sites.
The overall goal of the project is to improve the livelihood of small and marginalized tribal communities in the Araku Valley of Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The project will turn a low carbon landscape into a high carbon multiple use landscape improving food security and generating additional income for the community. The project area will cover 333 villages in 5 different Mandals and as an average approximately 16 planting sites per village. Totally, on 5,442 discrete areas of non-forested land with a geographical identification the horticulture systems will be established.
The tribal communities living in the project area are Bhagathas, Valmikies, Kamaras, Porjas and Kondhs. They converse in a dialect of Adivasi Oriya and Kui. The area is very secluded and still many of the villages are inaccessible by vehicles. 90% of the population in the project area is living below the poverty line.
The livelihoods of the tribal communities in the region have a distinct set of economic characteristics which differ widely from the lowlands adjoining this area of Visakhapatnam, with respect to climate, soil, rainfall, habitat, flora, and fauna. Subsistence agriculture is the primary livelihood for nearly 99% of the tribes and special characteristics are:
• Agriculture through Slash and Burn Technique on hill slopes, known as Podu cultivation;
• Gathering of Non Timber Forest Products;
• Farming on terraces or in valleys both under irrigated and rain fed condition, and
• Cattle and backyards gardens.
The current annual average income of households in the region ranges between INR.15, 000 to INR 18, 000 (USD 350-400). Indiscriminate Podu cultivation has resulted in barren lands with increased soil erosion leading to environmental degradation has contributed to poverty and deprivation in the area. Dependence on forest and land has become extremely difficult for the tribal way of live. The rate of growth in population and diminishing forest cover makes them extremely vulnerable.
Therefore, an integrated, holistic development approach revolving around building their local resources and skills to improve the agriculture and Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) needs to be adopted to address the issue of tribal poverty and build their economies. |
